Gummed strip moistener



Feb. 25,1936. J. GRAY 2,031,597

GUMMED STRIP MOI STENER Filed Feb. '7, 1955 HRIIIIIIIII"; y l oINVENTOR. Thomas J: Gray A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to gummed strip moisteners for use primarily inapplying message bearing tapes to telegraphic message blanks andparticularly to wickless type moisteners for that An entirelysatisfactory wickless strip moistener is disclosed in my copendingapplication,

Serial No. 722,422, filed April 26, 1934. It involves a novelcombination of parts so arranged as to assure an adequate and. uniformapplication of moisture to the strip without danger of objectionableleakage or spillage of water from the implement during ordinary use.

The moistener therein disclosed is designed for longitudinal passage ofthe strip crosswise of the implement.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wickless stripmoistener having all of the desirable characteristics above mentionedbut designed for passage of the strip longitudinally of the implement.This is accomplished by a different combination of parts necessitated bythe different mode of manipulation and use of the implement and thedifficulty of providing an adequate supply of Water without danger ofleakage or spillage when so used.

Other more specific objects and advantages will appear, expressed orimplied, from the following description of an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention.

In the accompanying drawing:-

Figure'l is a perspective view of a wickless gummed strip moistenerconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the head end of themoistener.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is an inverted horizontal sectional view.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail of the moisture spreader shown in Figs. 2and 3.

The strip moistener shown is equipped with the usual hollow cylindricalhandle I0, constituting an air tight reservoir, closed at its forwardend by a cap II, threaded thereinto, and sealed by an appropriate gasketl2.

The handle I0 also constitutes a support for the usual strip or tapechannel l3 extending longitudinally thereof and releasably securedthereto by conventional clips IA. The channel shown is equipped with theusual forwardly projecting lip or ledge l5 against which the tape isheld by the rolled end l6 of a spring pressed lever I! rockablysupported on the channel l3 in a conventional manner.

carries an extension member l8 having an end l9 fashioned for contactwith the tape at a point beyond the ledge 95 to guide the tape.

The member I8 is also equipped with a side finger 20 bent downwardly andsupporting a pin 2! which extends laterally beneath the tape and bywhich the tape may be lifted by elevating the lever H.

The moistener shown also includes a hollow head 22 of substantiallycylindrical form carried by and preferably integrally joined to the capI I through connectors 23 and 2s. jecting forwardly from the bottom of Aledge 25 prothe head carries an elevated guide roller 2? beneath whichthe tape is trained. The upper portion of the head 22 is cut awayintermediate its ends, as at 28, to form a passageway for the tape andto expose a moisture applying roller 29 disposed Within the head andfreely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the head.

to end within the head 22.

One end 3| of the shell is permanently closed and both ends of the shellare provided with peripheral ribs 32 tightly fitted within the ends ofthe head 22.

The shell is also equipped with an upstanding rib 33 which completelysurrounds the cut away portion 28 of the head and which, together withthe end ribs 32, provide a complete closure for the space be tween thehead and shell.

Two intermediate ribs 34 and 35 separate this space into annular endchannels 36 and 3?, which encircle the shell 30, and a central channel38 which extends beneath the roller 29.

As indicated particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, channel 36 communicates withthe interior of the reservoir it through a horizontal passage 39 inconnector 23, and a similar passage 40 in connector 24 providescommunication between the channel 31 and an air vent tube ll.

Tube 4| is carried by the cap ii and projects a substantial distanceinto the reservoir It with its open end 42 disposed preferably at a highpoint in the reservoir.

The channel 36 is blocked by an angularly disposed rib 42 preferablypositioned immediately above the connection with passage 39, and channel31 issimilarly blocked by an angularly disposed rib 43 preferablypositioned immediately above the connection with passage 40.

ports 44 (Fig. 5) above the ribs 42 and 43 provide communication betweenthe upper end of the intermediate channel 38 and channels 36 and 31, andsimilar gaps or ports 45 (Fig. 4) provide communication between thelower end of the intermediate channel 38 and the channels 36 and 31.Angularly disposed ribs 46 and 41, which are preferably providedadjacent the ports 45, extend only partially across the channels 36 and31, respectively, with gaps or ports 48 between them and the end rigs32. The intermediate channel 38 communicates with the interior of theshell 38 preferably through a multiplicity of perforations 49 in thelower intermediate portion of the shell beneath the roller 29.

The arrangement is such that water from the reservoir l0 may flowthrough the passage 39 into the channel 36 only as it is released byadmission of atmospheric air through the vent tube 4| into thereservoir, and the water thus supplied to the channel 36 spreads throughthe lower ports 45 and 48 into the intermediate channel 38 and other endchannel 31 until the lower portions of these three channels and ports 45and 48 are flooded. Since the upper portion of the channel 31 is blockedby the angular rib 43, air can be supplied to the vent tube 4| onlythrough the lower portion of the channel 31, but when that portion ofthe channel 31 and both lower ports 45 are flooded the water thereinprovides a seal against the admission of air to the vent tube 4|, thuspreventing further flow of water from the reservoir. This automaticsealing of the lower portion of the air channel 31 limits the amount ofwater within the head.

It is of course understood that the intermediate channel 38 is alwaysopen to atmospheric air through one or more of the perforations 49 inthe lower intermediate portion of the shell 36, but that air can enterthat portion of the channel 31 below the rib 43 only through the lowerports 45 and 48 from the intermediate channel 38.

It is also understood that the intermediate channel 38 is in effect anauxiliary reservoir from which the water finds its way upwardly throughthe perforations 49, by capillary action and otherwise, and maintains afilm of water within the clearance space between the interior of theshell 30 and the roller 29, so that the surface of the roller 29 isalways wet.

Although an ample supply of water is thus automatically maintained inthe head 22, the construction shown makes impossible the creation of anexcess supply, such as would produce objectionable leakage of spillage,regardless of the position assumed. For instance the implement may betilted about its longitudinal axis, so that the end of the head 22containing the channel 36 is lowermost and the channel 31 uppermost, andwhen so tilted water trapped in the channel 31 between the ribs 43 and41 will seal the passage 40 and thus prevent admission of air to thereservoir l0 and thereby prevent flow of water therefrom; or if theimplement be tilted ate channel 38 flows through the ports 45 into thechannels 36 and 31, thus permitting water to drain from the interior ofthe shell 30 through the perforations 43 into the channel 38. And whenthe handle is swung further through the vertical position described thewater discharged from the intermediate channel 38 into the channels 36and 31 remains in the latter until the implement approaches the normalposition shown in Fig. 1 when some of the water reenters theintermediate channel 38 from the channels 36 and 31 through the ports44.

In use the implement is ordinarily held in the right hand of theoperator in a substantially horizontal position, such as indicated inFig. 1, the moistened gummed face of the tape a being held against theblank 22 by the usual thimbled plate 0 on the finger of the left hand,and while so held the implement is moved lengthwise toward the right, soas to draw the tape lengthwise over the moistening roller 29 and tostretch a portion of the tape over and across the blank. The plate c isthen shifted toward the right along the tape, pressing the latter intosealing contact with the blank, until the edge of the plate 0 reaches apoint at which it is desired to sever the tape..

The plate 0 is provided with the usual straight edge by which the tapeis severed, the severing being accomplished in the usual manner bylifting and turning the implement toward the operator about itslongitudinal axis, so as to tension and kink the far edge of the tapeagainst the straight edge of the plate. The frictional grip of the leverportion !6 against the tape is sufficient to provide the desired tensionin the tape necessary to effect the severing operation and necessary tohold the tape against the moistening roller 29 as it is drawn throughthe implement during application of the tape to the blank.

It will be noted that each time the implement is turned about itslongitudinal axis to sever the tape, that end of the head 22 containingthe channel 31 is of course elevated, causing the water in that channelto recede. If the water in the head is below a certain minimum thisrecession of water in the channel 31 unseals the ports 45 and 48 so asto admit atmospheric air from channel 38 to and through the channel. 31and vent tube 4| to the reservoir l0, permitting a small amount of waterto enter the head from the reservoir. It has been found that thisintermittent turning of the implement may be relied upon to keep asupply of water in the head above that required to thoroughly moistenthe roller 29 and below that which would cause objectionable leakage.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 6 the window in the shell 36through which the roller 29 is exposed terminates at its forward end ina substantially horizontal shoulder 5| so arranged that the tape, afterleaving the roller 29, contacts with the forward edge of the shoulder.This shoulder 5! functions as a spreader to evenly distribute themoisture over the gummed face of the tape. As the tape is drawn over theroller 29, the roller rotating with it, the shoulder 5| interceptsexcess moisture from the tape and from the roller, so that a temporaryaccumulation of water builds up thereon between the rollerand tape andspreads uniformly across the face of the tape. To facilitate this effectthe face of the shoulder 5| is preferably transversely slotted 0rgroovedor otherwise broken to increase its water holding capacity. Betweenperiods of use the tape is ordinarily lifted clear of the roller 29 soas to avoid its sticking to the roller. This is accomplished bydepressing the thumb piece 52 of the lever l'l so as to elevate thelever and thereby cause the pin 2| to lift the tape. This actionprovides sufiicient slack in that part of the tape between the foot I9and guide roller 2'I so that that portion remains in an elevatedcondition clear of the roller when the lever i1 is again lowered byrelease of the'thumb piece 52.

The roller 29 may be variously mounted for free'rotation within theshell 30 and beneath the window 28. The mounting means shown has provenentirely satisfactory and makes possible the ready removal andreplacement of the roller and associated parts for easy cleaning. Inthis instance the roller 29 is provided with a central hub 53'closelybut freely journalled upon the intermediate portion of a shaft 54 havingone end seated in a socket formed in the closed end 3| of the shell30and the other end seated in a socket formed in a closure plug 55 screwedin or otherwise removably fixed in the opposite end of the shell. Thehub of the roller is confined between a shoulder 56 on the shait and aspacer sleeve 51, which latter is confined between the plug 55 and ashaft shoulder 58.

It will be noted that the shell 30 extends well beyond the roller 29 inboth directions so as to form end chambers 59 and 69 arranged atopposite sides of and beyond the open window 28 through which the rolleris exposed. It will also be noted that the roller 29 is hollow, thecentral supporting web thereof having holes therethrough, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, so that the chambers 59 and 6B are in open communication.

By reason of that construction any water within the bottom of the shell30 may readily flow and will flow from one chamber 59 or 60 to the otherthe window 28 of any small amount of water as may be in the shell 30.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the inventionhereinabove specifically described without departing from or sacrificingthe advantages of .the invention as defined or attempted to be definedin the appended claims.

I claim:--

1. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a hollow head carried by said handle, means forconducting liquid from said handle to said head, a roller in said headfreely rotatable about an axis disposed crosswise of said handle andcontacting the liquid in said head, said head having an opening throughwhich said roller is exposed, a vent passage for admitting air from saidhead to said handle, means for limiting the supply of liquid to saidhead in all positions of said implement, said means including aplurality of liquid controlled passages in said head for controlling theadmission of air to said vent passage, and means for directing a stripto be moistened over and in rolling contact with said roller.

2. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a hollow head carried by said handle, means foradmitting air from said head to said handle and for supplying liquidfrom said handle to said head, a strip moistening roller freelyrotatable in said head about an axis disposed crosswise of said handleand contacting the liquid in said head, said head having an openingthrough which said roller is exposed for contact with the strip to bemoistened, and means effective in all positions of the implement forlimiting the supply of liquid to said head, said last named meanscomprising liquid controlled passages in said head coacting with saidfirst named means to control the admission of air to said handle.

3. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, 9.

hollow head carried by said handle, means for I hollow head carriedthereby and having a chamber therein, an auxiliary reservoir in saidhead in direct communication with the bottom of said chamber, a rollerfreely rotatable in said chamber and moistened by liquid from saidauxiliary reservoir, an opening in said head through which said rolleris exposed for contact with the strip to be moistened, and means forsupplying liquid from said handle to said auxiliary reservoir, saidmeans including liquid controlled passages communicating with saidauxiliary reservoir and said handle and eiTective in all positions ofthe implement to limit the supply of liquid to said head.

5. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a hollow head carried thereby and having a chambertherein, an auxiliary reservoir in said head in direct communicationwith the bottom of said chamber, a roller freely rotatable in saidchamber and moistened by liquid from said auxiliary reservoir, said headhaving an opening through which said roller is exposed for contact witha strip to be moistened, channels in said head arranged to receiveliquid from said auxiliary reservoir when the implement is tilted, andmeans for supplying liquid from said handle to said auxiliary reservoirthrough one of said channels.

6. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a hollow head carried thereby and having a chambertherein, an auxiliary reservoir in said head in direct communicationwith the bottom of said chamber, channels at opposite sides of saidauxiliary chamber communicating therewith at points below said chamber,means communicating with said channels and said handle through whichliquid is supplied from said handle to said auxiliary chamber, and aroller freely rotatable in said chamber and moistened by liquid fromsaid auxiliary reservoir, said head having an opening through which saidroller is exposed for contact with a strip to be moistened.

'7. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a. hollow head carried thereby and having a chambertherein, spaced channels in said head encircling said chamber, anauxiliary reservoir in said head between said channels and communicatingtherewith at points below said chamber, said auxiliary chamber havingdirect communication with the bottom of said chamber, meanscommunicating with said channels andsaid handle through which liquid issupplied to said auxiliary reservoir, and a roller freely rotatable insaid chamber and moistened by the liquid in said auxiliary reservoir,said head having an opening through which said roller is exposed to thestrip to be moistened.

8. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollowhandle forming an airtight-reservoir, a hollow head carried thereby and having a chambertherein, spaced channels in said head encircling said chamber, anauxiliary reservoir in said head between said channels and having directcommunication with the bottom of said chamber,

communicating ports between said auxiliary reservoir and said channels,said ports being disposed below said chamber, a blocking partition ineach of said channels, communicating ports between said auxiliaryreservoir and said channels dispose-d above said partitions, passagesconnecting said handle and said channels below said partitions, and aroller freely rotatable in said chamher. and moistened by liquid fromsaid auxiliary reservoir, said head having an opening through which saidroller is exposed for contact with a strip to be moistened.

9. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a chamber therein,a reservoir directly communicating with the bottom of said chamber, a,roller in said chamber moistened by liquid from said reservoir, saidbody having a top opening through which said roller is exposed forcontact with the strip to be moistened, and channels at opposite sidesof said reservoir into which the liquid from said reservoir may escapewhen said body is tilted to, thereby avoid objectionable dis-.

charge of liquid through said chamber and opening.

- 10. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a chambertherein, a reservoir in said body directly communicating with the bottomof said chamber, a roller in said chamber moistened by liquid from saidreservoir, said body having a top opening through which said roller isexposed, and means in said body for receiving the liquid of saidreservoir when said body is tilted to thereby avoid objectionabledischarge from said reservoir through said chamber and opening, saidmeans being arranged to return the liquid to said reservoir when saidbody is returned to normal position.

11. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a chamber therein,a reservoir in said body directly communicating with the bottom of saidchamber, a roller in said chamber moistened by liquid from saidreservoir, said body having, an opening through which said roller isexposed, meansin said body into which liquid from said reservoir maydrain when-said bodyis tilted, said chamber being extended to form endpockets at opposite sides of said opening to receive and hold any liquidthat may be in said chamber whensaid body is tilted.

12. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a chamber therein,a reservoir in said body below said chamber, liquid supply means forsaid reservoir, means for automatically controlling the supply of liquidto said reservoir, a roller freely rotatable in said chamber, andperforations in the wall of said chamber through which liquid istransmitted from said reservoir to said chamber to moisten the rollertherein, said body having an opening through which said roller isexposed for contact with the strip to be moistened.

13. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a substantiallycylindrical chamber therein and an opening in the top thereof, a shaftsupported coaxially of said chamber, a roller carried by said shaft andfreely rotatable beneath said opening, a reservoir beneath said chamberfor supplying liquid to said chamber and said roller, and a closure forthe end of said chamber removable to permit axial withdrawal of saidroller from said chamber.

14. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having a substantiallycylindrical chamber therein, and also having a closed space directlycommunicating with the bottom of said chamber, means controlled byliquid in said space for maintaining a predetermined supply of liquidtherein, and a roller in said chamber moistened by liquid from saidspace, said body also having an opening through which said roller isexposed for contact with a strip to be moistened.

15. A strip moistener comprising a hollow body having substantiallycylindrical chamber therein and also a closed space directlycommunicating with the bottom of said chamber, means controlled byliquid in said space for maintaining a supply of liquid therein, and aroller in said chamber moistened by liquid from said space, said bodyalso having an opening through which said roller is exposed, saidchamber being extended beyond the sides of said opening to form liquidretaining end pockets in said chamber.

16. A strip moistening implement comprising a hollow handle forming anair tight reservoir, a hollowhead carried by said handle and suppliedwith liquid therefrom, a roller in said head moistened by the liquidtherein, said head having an opening through which said roller isexposed, and channels formed in said head at opposite sides of saidopening into which the liquid in said head may flow when said head isinverted.

THOMAS J. GRAY.

